Leading Out

 

Paul  Home: Scarborough, Ontario University: York Subject Area: English (in a rural school with sponsorship)

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

As a Leading Out teacher, I have really enjoyed the social outings that take place every now and then where you get to meet other teachers doing what you are doing.  The outings help you to meet people and take in some awesome Australian places or events.  I have also really enjoyed the assistance when making plans to travel around as we all have our own Leading Out travel agents.

The best place travelled within Australia:

I would have to say the best place I travelled to was Surfer’s Paradise.  The beach was beautiful and the nightlife was fantastic.  It seems like it caters to a lot of different interests and tastes so it was a great place to check out.

Tips for International Teachers?

In terms of tips for those who wish to come down, I would just say keep an open mind and even if you are initially scared of the move, people down here will always take care of you.  The Australian people are so warm and caring and will always lend a helping hand.

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

I have done both contract and CRT work in Australia and I have really enjoyed just how friendly the staff has always been.  The teachers here really seem to take care of another and are always willing to offer a helping hand, both professionally and even socially.  The staff always helped me to feel welcome and adapt to the school climate. 

In terms of teaching similarities between teaching down here and back in Canada, I would have to say that both school systems are making a big push to incorporate more and more technology into the classroom.  In terms of differences, there do seem to be a lot more meetings for teachers down here, which can be good for giving support but also bad in the sense that they can be a little too time consuming.  Also, some schools have still kept the 6 period day which means that you generally teach an extra course or two than you would back in Canada (specifically Ontario).

Ron  Home: Windsor, Ontario University: Windsor Subject Area: Physics/Maths

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

Leading Out has been there the entire way! If you need someone to support you, you can count on Leading Out. Before departing Canada I was more than prepared thanks to their services. They realize that it is difficult to come half way around the world so they are willing to do whatever it takes for you to settle down and get comfortable. There is always someone there for you and their service is very reliable. Frequent emails and events will keep you up to date on what to do around the city. Mentoring and other programs are available for extra support and cash flow. Social gatherings occur to meet new people and to share your experiences. They are there to help and support you and to make things stress free.

The best place travelled within Australia:

Before I left Canada I hadn’t done a whole lot of research about what to do in Australia, let alone places to visit while being here, but let’s just say that so far my experience has been a huge eye opener! I have only been abroad for just over three months now and there are heaps to do out here. Taking a drive down Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles was only one of the most spectacular things I have ever done thus far. The scenery is just so breath-taking and beautiful it feels as if you are in a dream. I also got a chance to do a quick weekend trip to Phillip Island where I saw the koala’s, the nobbies, and the penguin parade. Again the scenery was just spectacular! Cannot wait to take a trip up to the East Coast during the next break to experience more of Australia!

Tips for International Teachers?

If you are coming from a small city as I did be prepared to be amazed at how beautiful this country is, but at the same time feel a little overwhelmed with the adjustment. Settling down may be stressful at first, but once you get a chance to explore the city or the area which you are situated, you will realize that everything here is so convenient. I must admit the public transportation system here is pretty straight forward and the scheduling is fairly accurate. It is very easy to go from place to place, and over time the system will only get better with more trains, trams, and buses coming more frequently at your convenience. Melbourne is definitely a busy place so expect to see heaps of people roaming the streets wherever you go!

Keep in contact with your family and friends as often as possible. Being half way around the world can be a little bit tough if you haven’t been away from home like I have. The world of teaching is not perfect and things aren’t always going to go as planned so expect a lot of ups and downs, however take these good or bad experiences and learn from them. Talk to people back home or other teachers within your school, as someone will be there to support you the entire way. Take the time to vent your anger/frustration or wonderful times to your family and friends because everyday you will come home with a story to tell!

Be prepared to spend a little bit more money than expected, as things can be a bit pricey! Everything seems to cost a bit more around here, especially food and clothing, but remember…no tax! The prices you see are the prices you pay. Also another thing to remember when eating out is that you don’t have to tip the waiter/waitress as it is not expected. I suggest that you pack enough clothing/supplies to get by at first, but eventually you will end up buying if you want to be up to date with the latest styles and fashions here…Melbourne is regarded as the fashion capital of Australia.

Last but not least when teaching out here remember that kids are kids. You are a new teacher from a different country at the school so expect the kids to test you a little bit. They may crawl under your skin and try to get away with a lot until you get to know them so have patience and don’t stress! Get involved with as much as you can at your school and in no time the kids will open up and become so attached to you. I always keep in mind that the first few years of teaching are going to be the hardest, but remember it’s an experience that you are never going to forget! Stay positive and keep an open mind, and from there you will figure out what kind of teacher you want to be…

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

I am happy to say that the one thing that I have enjoyed the most about teaching in Melbourne is getting to know the students and learning their sense of humour. Thanks to Leading Out I was fortunate enough to have landed a contract position within the first week of term 2. My first day of teaching was a little bit nerve racking, however the students here open up to you very quickly and are just so mesmerised by our Canadian accents! They have so many questions to ask and are super curious about what the similarities and differences are in Canada. Needless to say their sense of humour here is very entertaining, but it is the one thing that I look forward to when coming in to work each day. 

Seeing as this is my first year of teaching in my own classroom without an associate present, I do notice some similarities and differences when comparing it my experience back home. One main difference is that high school begins in year 7 here. This still tends to throw me off a bit because there is a mix of students between the ages of 12-16 who are in the same building…weird! I work in a multi campus school which splits up students from year 7-10 and year 11-12 at different campuses. Another difference here is that high school students get time for recess, whereas recess ended for me after grade 8. In terms of teaching you may be a little bit shocked with the student-teacher relationships here. Teacher’s tend to be a little bit more layed back compared to Canada. For one thing, students here may ask for your first name, and it is not unusual for students to be calling teachers by their first name.  There are also some differences in the curriculum here compared to back home, but all in all they cover most of the same topics and requirements needed for post secondary education.

Steven  Home: Hamilton, Ontario University: Trent Subject Area: English, sponsored on long-term contract with partner

“I started with Leading Out long before I ever came to Australia.  It was highly recommended by other Australians I was working with in Canada.  They were extremely helpful in getting the process sorted for me and were very patient with the numerous VISA hiccups my wife and I had.  They got us into a great house with other wonderful business people and we loved it.  Leading Out found me a full time job long after the school year had started and it is the best staff I have ever worked with. 

The information packages they offer you before and after you get to Australia have not only been priceless to me but my wife as well.  Their knowledge on things you need and ways to get the things you need are paramount. My wife and I have not travelled much because we have been seeing all the sites around Melbourne first but there is a lot!  We are going to Tasmania for a week and Sydney for a few days, it is very cheap to fly inside the country. 

Australia certainly pays you better than most schools in Canada, particularly with the job market.  Now Australia is more expensive to live in but if you shop wisely and look for sales you can save a ton of money.  I highly recommend Leading Out, and I have already recommended Leading Out.”

Jessica  Home: Peterborough, Ontario University: Western Subject Area: Primary, sponsored on long-term contract with partner

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

Leading Out has helped us  all along the way in preparation for my arrival. They booked our flights, set up our bank account, found us a place to live, and regularly checked up on us to see how I am going. They even picked myself and my fiancée up in Melbourne and drove us 4 hours to our rual school. They have made all the difference in making this process as easy as possible.

The best place travelled within Australia:

Being in Australia has completely changed the way that I view the world. It was such an eye opener coming to a new country and not knowing anything as to what I was getting into. Working in a small rural community has made it somewhat difficult to travel too far in Australia. On Term 1 break I went on an amazing trip starting in Melbourne, all the way up The Great Ocean Road, to Adelaide. I saw so many beautiful coastal scenes, went surfing in Torquay, found Koalas in the wild, saw The 12 Apostles, a colony of white kangaroos in Bordertown, experienced Blue Lake in Mnt. Gambier, and the Giant Lobster in Kingston. It was absolutely amazing to see the beauty that is Australia.  One of my favourite things to do around where I am living is to go hiking in the Grampian Mountain Range. It is absolutely stunning with heaps of different hiking trails and fairly difficult climbs.

Tips for International Teachers?

For other teachers coming to Australia I would tell them to always keep an open mind. It is so important to try anything and everything while you are here to gain the full experience of such a wonderful country. You may only be here for a year and therefore all that you can fit, while also juggling teaching, is extremely important.

You’re going to miss Tim Hortons.  It is inevitable and the food here is quite different. I’ve tried Kangaroo and it is delicious when it is marinated. You’ll also find that there are always barbeques to go to where you bring your own food and drinks and everyone just cooks up their food and has a good time. Snags (sausages) are very popular and Australians rarely use buns on bbq burgers and sausages!

It is so important to keep strong contact with home. When school may seem rough or you’ve had a bad day, you need to make sure you do something for yourself and have that contact with home to keep you sensible and sane. Skype has been a saviour for me and I get to speak with my parents every weekend.

Everything is more expensive: food, makeup, clothing, internet, everything. Make sure you bring a lot of supplies that you use daily so that you do not have to spend so much more down the road. Despite what people think, it does get cold here. While winter is just rolling around here, I should have listened when they told me to bring my winter coat. I thought if anything it would be cheap enough to buy one here, but the prices are so much higher that it was not worth it. My parents are bringing me one when they come over instead. Also, it is extremely hot in summer, and even if you do not use it at home, always wear sunscreen!

Last but not least, become a well known member around your school. Volunteer for everything, excursions, sporting events, camps, staff events, student events, etc. This is your time to learn as much as possible and it is an easy way of seeing a lot more of the country. I was lucky enough to go on a year 11 Outdoor Education camp to Port Fairy and will be going on another one to the Grampians. I got to learn how to surf, learn how to rock-climb on a mountain, learn how to scuba dive and best of all, it was free for me to go.

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

Teaching in Australia is both different and somewhat similar compared to Canada. Seeing as how this is my first full time position and I do not have much experience to compare it to, it is none the less a once in a lifetime opportunity in the field in which I have studied to work in. It has been quite interesting being a year 7 Co-ordinator and starting off each of my classes from Day 1, instead of picking up and teaching where my Associate Teacher would have left off, in Canada. I now have all the responsibility and flexibility of incorporating my own creativeness into each of my many classes and classrooms. Students here are very often spoken to about the importance of respect to teachers and fellow students, as well as about appearance in the school and community. I find that the schools really focus on ‘getting to know the student’ first, more than throwing a lot of curriculum at them right away. I’ve realized you cannot expect your students to learn from you if they do not respect you and do not think that you care about them and their wellbeing.

I am teaching in a rural community about 3.5 hours away from the city. It is quite interesting to be a part of such a small community setting as everyone quickly gets to know who ‘the Canadians’ are in town. There is no escaping students on a Saturday morning downtown, or anytime after school for that matter. I have been able to meet so many wonderful, helpful, and encouraging people being where I am. No one should be dissatisfied with being placed in a rural school. The towns itself, as small as they are, have quite a lot to offer.

Susannah  Home: Picton, Ontario University: Griffiths, Australia Subject Area: Primary and French, sponsored on long-term contract

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

Leading Out has been a great help in terms of getting paperwork sorted quickly and efficiently. I was very busy teaching in Canada while I was making arrangements to come to Australia so it was great not having to waste precious time in doing all the groundwork myself. I was still responsible for gathering my end of information and filling in forms, but I was told exactly what needed to be done and by when, which kept the planning process smooth. Once I arrived in Australia, Leading Out picked me up from the airport, took me to the bank where they already had an account open for me, and then on to my new apartment which they had also helped arrange. Because I was coming on my own, it helped make a large and daunting transition much less stressful. At that house I met a lot of really good friends from all over the world, many of whom I still hang out with now.

After a few months of CRT work, an interview was arranged for me at a secondary school. Being a primary teacher I wasn’t sure if it would be right for me, but I figured that since I came to Australia to try new things I might as well give it a go. I attended the interview and felt good about the opportunity, so I chose to accept the position. I will be teaching at the highschool full time for the whole school year, and so far it has been a very positive experience. I’ve met lots of new, interesting, and friendly people, am doing work I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do at home, and am learning new ways of doing things. It’s good and I like it!

Since being in Australia Leading Out has helped with employment, accomodations, social events, and the inevitable paperwork. The most important role they’ve consistently provided has been to accurately answer questions pertaining to my specific situation. I’ve worked overseas before and often you are given very general answers or suggestions for where you can look to find your own information, but I’ve found that Leading Out can give me all the information I need in a quick e-mail or phone call. I came here to travel, work, and enjoy life, not spend hours tied up red tape!   

The best place travelled within Australia:

One of the best things about teaching in Australia is the way the school year is set up. 3 sets of 2 weeks of holidays is ideal for travelling. I did my teachers college in Australia several years ago, and so saw most of the major sights then. This time around I’m focussing on just living life within an Australian context and using my holidays to travel further afield.

Christina  Home: Napanee, Ontario University: Queens Subject Area: Primary

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

The service that has assisted me the most is getting set up with casual relief work  before even arriving in Australia. When I arrived I started working as a CRT the very next week which is unbelievable.

I have also really enjoyed the Leading Out monthly activities that have been planned. They are a great way to meet new people, especially when you’ve come all on your own to Melbourne!

Before arriving in Australia, Leading Out helped me get my VIT card, set up a bank account for me, and registeration for casual work. On arrival I was picked up at the airport, dropped off at the front door of my building, and introduced to two other Canadians all at the same time.

During my stay here, Leading Out has been able to answer all the questions that I have asked. From what cell phone company to use to who to call to book a wine tour, Leading Out is there to help. I have also taken advantage of the monthly activities that Leading Out plans to meet new Canadians which is great.

The best place travelled within Australia:

I have really enjoyed travelling around the state of Victoria. I’ve rented a car on two separate occasions to drive along the Great Ocean Road, Grampian Mountains, Phillip Island, Gipplands Highway, and the Yarra Valley. I’ve got to see some breathtaking scenery such as the Twelve Apostles and coastlines along the Great Ocean Road and the views from the Grampians. I also got to see animals in the wild too, which was a highlight for me. I’ve seen koalas, penguins, emus, and even had to stop for a wallaby standing on the road. Definitely drive this country if you get the chance!

Tips for International Teachers?

The advice that I would give other teachers coming to Australia is to keep an open mind and remember that it will be different from Canada, so embrace that. There is so much to see and do, make sure you get some travelling in, not just work. Also, even though you don’t think it will be cold here, still pack some warm clothes because it’s the dampness that gets to you.

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

There are definitely more similarities than differences between teaching in Victoria and teaching in Canada. When you walk into a classroom in Melbourne and see for example, the students divided into guided reading groups and the curriculum left for you to cover that day, you think to yourself that this could easily be a school in Canada.

However, I feel that the schools in Canada are more structured and have a greater emphasis on literacy and numeracy than the schools in Victoria. Also there are more specialised teachers here in Australia than back home. Not many classroom teachers also teach phys. ed and the arts to their students. I have also noticed that there are very few Educational Assistants working in schools, and very little mention of any sort of accommodations or modifications for students with exceptionalities.

I did CRT work in different primary schools during my time in Melbourne. I have really enjoyed getting to meet new students and learning about their lives in Australia, and answering all their questions about Canada as well. I had to pick up quickly on the different vocabulary used here though. There have been times when I haven’t known what they were talking about and they haven’t known what I’ve been talking about, but it all gets sorted out in the end.

Tracy   Home: Sunderland, Ontario University: UOIT Subject Area: Math/Science, sponsored to stay long term

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

Before leaving Canada, I chose the “Comfort Melbourne” package. Moving to Australia was my first real experience living away from home, and I had no idea where to begin. Leading Out assisted me with becoming a certified Victorian teacher, getting insurance, booking flights, arranging accommodations, packing, and generally just answered all my questions! I felt well prepared to live in Melbourne before even getting on the plane in Toronto. When I arrived in Melbourne, Leading Out provided transportation to my flat, as well as information about public transit, and tourist attractions. They set up interviews for me with schools for contract positions, allowing me to focus on being a tourist and not having to worry about finding a job!

Leading Out has assisted me most with finding contract positions in Melbourne. Through the events and facebook page, I have been able to meet other Canadian teachers who are also part of the Leading Out Network. Leading Out has also just been a great resource while living in Australia, as you can basically send them an enquiry about anything and they will help find an answer.

The best place travelled within Australia:

The most beautiful place I have been in Australia thus far is the “Great Ocean Road”. The Great Ocean Road is just a short drive from Melbourne, and is basically just a long stretch of highway that runs right along the ocean. The view of the ocean and the coast is absolutely breath-taking! The Great Ocean Road offers many exciting things to see and do, including whale watching, visiting the 12 Apostles and other historic sites and national parks where you can see Kangaroos and Koala’s in the wild. There are also heaps of small towns along the way, my favourite being “Apollo Bay”, where I enjoyed banana ice cream for the first time!

Tips for International Teachers?

Teaching overseas is an amazing experience!! The only advice I can really give is to come with an open mind. Don’t limit your opportunities by setting timelines or making big plans before arriving. Just go with the flow, and see where the Australian sunshine leads you!!

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

Teaching in Victoria is very similar to teaching in Ontario. The curriculum is very similar, and the general lay-out of courses is the same. It is very easy to jump into a school and begin teaching, even in the middle of a semester! Being a science teacher, I was use to setting up all my labs by myself; however schools in Victoria have Science Lab Technicians that do all the lab preparation and clean-up for you. This is fantastic!

Since arriving in Melbourne, I have been lucky enough to be on contract. My favourite thing about teaching in Melbourne is the cultural lessons I receive from my students, and the cultural lessons I get to provide them.  Australian children of all ages have heaps of questions about Canada, so it is always enjoyable to meet a new group of students and see what kind of questions they can come up with! My Australian students have taught me so much about Australia, the biggest thing being proper Australian “Lingo”!

Erin   Home: Haliburton, Ontario University: Nipissing Subject Area: Primary, taught in a rural school in Australia

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

Leading out was very helpful in finding me a place to live. I also was very thankful for the bank set up, and the help with all the paper work that needs to be done.  Leading Out is always there to answer any questions you may have.  I felt like I had a security net the entire time.

I was in a rural community, and the most helpful was the fact that Leading Out was always in contact with my principal.  You never feel alone!

The best place travelled within Australia:

The best place I have traveled so far in Australia, would have to be Fraser Island.  My traveling partner and I went up the sunshine coast for our two week school holiday.  The Sunshine Coast is beautiful!  We ended it with a tour of Fraser Island.  It is the most beautiful and unique place I have ever seen!  It is a must!  We did the three days two nights tour. 

Tips for International Teachers?

It would be good to have some money saved up before you come, in case you don’t get work right away. I was very lucky to have full time work the moment I landed.  That meant I got paid while on vacation.  My experience from my own school, is that a lot of teachers don’t leave any instructions as they are not required too.  In my school board, it is mandatory to have your lessons prepared three days in advance so that if you are sick, there are plans.  That is not the case here in Australia.

Another tip, is take advantage of ALL school trips. I got to see most of Victoria for free! I volunteered for every school trip. I honestly think I was out of the classroom more than I was in.  I learned how to surf, went on rainforst hikes, sea kayaking, mountain climbing, the list goes on, all for free!  It is such a great way to get the true aussie experience and bond with the kids.

If you come in Mid August/Sept. bring warm clothes!  I froze my butt off for quite sometime!  I didn’t believe people when they said it would be cold.  Especially in Melbourne!

Get your VIT in ASAP!   I left mine really late, only because there were issues with police checks.  I had the ontario one done, but not the federal, so everything was delayed.  You can not teach in front of a classroom without it, and it takes a long time to process.  That is number one!  Also bring everything with you as far as documents go.

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

I actually didn’t end up working in Melbourne.  One week before I flew to Australia.  Leading Out contacted myself and my travel partner, to ask if we would mind working in a rural community.  Being from one back home, we were very keen.  We ended up in a little town 3 hours from Melbourne.  It was an amazing experience and I am so glad that I ended up there.  I was hired on full time to coach teachers on smart boards and to teach year nine science.  It was great to become part of a small community like that.  I highly recommend it!  It is really beneficial to have a car if you are going to live outside of the city.

I have not noticed too many differences.  The major difference I would say it the report card.  I was teaching year nine, which I have never done back in Canada, so that in itself was all new to me.  Secondary school reports are much different than elementary.  Other than that, I find kids are the same where ever you are.

Amanda and Rick Home: LaSalle, Ontario University: Windsor Subject Area: Maths

What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?

Obviously in the beginning I would have to say Leading Out sending out our Resumes and getting us a contact with the school. While we have been here it’s been great to receive the emails telling us about the events that are happening around us.

Before: We got the highest package which helped us when getting out resumes into the schools and setting up interviews. We both had phone interviews and jobs set up before we arrived in Melbourne. We had airport pick-up and were driven to our hotel which was very convenient. They also set up our bank accounts as well so we arrived and had access to money right away.

During: We are always getting emails from Leading Out talking about what things are going on. There was a day activity for rock climbing that we unfortunately couldn’t make it to but we did go to the great ocean road with a bunch of Leading Out teachers. We had an amazing time there. For halloween we are going to the Leading Out halloween party. Leading Out is constantly helping us to interact with the other Leading Out teachers and experience as much of Australia as we can.

The best place travelled within Australia:

Cairns. So hot and sunny everyday. Great for a holiday. The Great Ocean Road, which we did with a bunch of Leading Out teachers, was amazing to see too! Plus we got to see wild koalas!

Tips for International Teachers?

Bring as many resources as you can even though Australian’s are very willing to provide you with some. The main tip I would give though is to come with an open mind when it comes to school outside of the curriculum (daily schedules, laid back behavior, etc.)

What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?

I came to Melbourne planning to do CRT work for the first 7 weeks than doing contract during 4th term. However, the first day CRTing I was offered a contract position for the last two terms of the year. The only catch was that I would be teaching out of my specialty. My teachables are Math and Individual and Society (which translates to SOSE/Geography/History here). However, I ended up teaching English for 4 classes, and History for my other. EEK! I am however, enjoying the experience of getting to teach out of my specialty. It was tough at first but now I’m learning to actually enjoy it and I will feel even more prepared and experienced when I go back to Canada.

There are many similarities and differences between teaching in Victoria and Canada and it is nice to experience their different world. Like Canada, the teaching staff is very nice and always very helpful. Australians and Canadians, both in and out of the school, are very similar when it comes to social interactions between students and their peers, as well as students and their teachers. The curriculum here also contains the same sort of material as the curriculum in Canada. As for differences, one main one is the way teachers and administration approach their classes. Things are a lot more laid back here and school seems to be a lot less stressful for students. Also, students only have to complete up to year 10 here so sometimes the motivation for students to excel may not be there if they feel they will be leaving high school at 16. I also want to mention that their school schedules are different here. Rather than having the same schedule everyday for half a year, every day of the week is different so you may only see a certain class 3 days a week.. but for 5 periods total. It’s good because your days don’t seem so repetitive but it’s bad because there are days when you are teaching 6 periods, but at most 4 different subjects. One more difference is that the yr 7′s and 8′s are in highschool here so if you enjoy teaching those year levels, you can … and you get the same pay!!

Click here for 2009 Testimonials from Canadian, American, Swedish and UK teachers in Australia.

Click here for 2008 Testimonials from Canadian, American and UK teachers in Australia.